Kanye West Declines Coachella Invite Over Creative Differences

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Kanye West is reportedly saying “no” to headlining Coachella this year.

The I Love It rapper supposedly abandoned negotiations with the popular music festival due to creative differences about staging. West, who is well-known for his imaginative live performances, complained that the proposed stage was “artistically limiting,” TMZ reported Wednesday.

When the Indio, California-based festival reportedly refused to alter its “traditional 40X60 stage,” the 41-year-old performer bid the opportunity farewell.

“These 40×60 stages are so archaic,” a source told TMZ about the disagreement. “It’s the same type of stage on which Shakespeare’s works were performed hundreds of years ago.”

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West’s commitment to his artistic vision likely cost him a hefty paycheck. Rolling Stone reported in 2014 that festivals typically pay its headliners up to $4 million, a fee Beyoncé possibly earned when she performed at Coachella in April 2018.

The dad-of-three, however, is apparently not one to compromise on creativity. West spent eight months working with designers to create a levitating stage for his Saint Pablo tour.

“I just wanted people to get into it and have a fun time,” he told E! News about the idea. “Make it not be just about watching the artist but people watching their friends and singing along with the lyrics and just being able to see themselves and their outfits.”

The official list of Coachella headliners hit the internet Wednesday evening. Top performers include Ariana Grande, Childish Gambino, and Kid Cudi, to name a few.

The festival will take place between April 12-21.